question

1 of 2

noun

ques·​tion ˈkwes-chən 

ˈkwesh-

1

a(1)

: an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge

(2)

: an interrogative sentence or clause

b

: a subject or aspect in dispute or open for discussion : issue

broadly : problem, matter

c(1)

: a subject or point of debate or a proposition to be voted on in a meeting

(2)

: the bringing of such to a vote

d

: the specific point at issue

2

a

: an act or instance of asking : inquiry

b

: interrogation

also : a judicial or official investigation

c

: torture as part of an examination

d(1)

: objection, dispute

true beyond question

(2)

: room for doubt or objection

little question of his skill

(3)

: chance, possibility

no question of escape

question

2 of 2

verb

questioned; questioning; questions

transitive verb

1

: to ask a question of or about

2

: to interrogate intensively : cross-examine

3

a

: doubt, dispute

b

: to subject to analysis : examine

intransitive verb

: to ask questions : inquire

questioner noun

Synonyms

Noun

• interrogative
• problem

Verb

• challenge
• contest
• dispute
• impeach
• oppugn
• query

Choose the Right Synonym for question

ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information.

ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

Examples of question in a Sentence

Noun

Can I ask you a personal question?

I don't understand the question.

Are there any more questions?

In answer to your question, our next meeting will be on Friday.

The essay questions on the test were easy.

There are 10 multiple-choice questions on the exam.

The exam included several questions on current events.

The question arose as to who would be responsible for caring for our grandmother.

I expected him to ask where I worked, but the question never came up.

The key question in solving the mystery is, how did the murderer enter the house?

Verb

The reporter questioned her at length on her life as the First Lady.

The witness was questioned by the defense.

I could tell that she was questioning my decision.

He began to question his ability to do the job.

I trusted him and I never questioned what he told me.

The lawyer questioned the truth of the witness's statement.

He began to question whether the things she had said were really true.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Envestnet, which lost its cofounder and CEO in 2019, is once again up for sale—but questions remain about whether finding a buyer this time around will be any different. —Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024

Pecker said he was told to be truthful on any question he is asked. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

How Edwin will react to the increasingly crowded Dead Boy Detective Agency offices is a question that’s already enticing executive producers and co-showrunners Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz about the possibilities of Season 2, should Netflix give the greenlight. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

But second, if the question concerns modern America, my answer is William F. Buckley Jr. and Norman Podhoretz (longtime editor of National Review, longtime editor of Commentary). —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 Apr. 2024

Furthering the questions surrounding Ham is an old video making the rounds on social media. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Hate crime questions What remains unclear: The connection, if any, between Dos Passos and Gibert. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

Watch Latin American Music Awards Submit questions about Billboard charts, as well as general music musings, to [e-mail]. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024

The questions are causing agita at Point Loma Nazarene University, which is debating whether to chase money and prestige to shore up its finances and better compete for the declining number of college-age people nationally. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024

Verb

No serious Republican candidate could campaign directly against Trump or question his claims about the 2020 election. —Charles Homans Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024

Some question whether authorities are over-reacting; others question the priorities of academic leaders who sic the police on them. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

Some faculty, administrators and parents of students questioned why the selection process did not include vetting of social media. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

Some experts question the ethics of such experiments. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

In the statement, Wood alleged their sons were questioned on campus by police without the parents' knowledge following the incident. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

Justices question impact of ruling for EMTALA Prelogar, who grew up in Idaho, argued the federal government’s case. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024

Some also questioned the decision-makers of the series — which also counts Seth MacFarlane and Steph Curry among its executive producers. —Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

The two cases also similarly question whether the hush money payments were being used for campaign purposes or for personal reasons. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin quaestion-, quaestio, from quaerere to seek, ask

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing question

• a question mark over
• a question of
• beg the question
• beyond question
• call in question
• call into question
• come into question
• counter-question
• cross-question
• essay question
• good question
• in question
• leading question
• loaded question
• open question
• open to question
• out of the question
• pop the question
• previous question
• put another question to
• question and answer session
• question mark
• question master
• question time
• rhetorical question
• self-question
• tag question
• the big question
• there is no question of
• throw/bring into question
• trick question
• without question

Kids Definition

question

1 of 2 noun

ques·​tion ˈkwes-chən 

ˈkwesh-

1

a

: something asked

try to make your questions brief

b

: a topic to be talked or argued about

arms control and other questions of the day

c

: a suggestion to be voted on

put the question to the members

2

a

: an act or instance of asking : inquiry

b

: objection sense 1

obey without question

c

: possibility sense 1

no question of escape

question

2 of 2 verb

1

: to ask questions of or about

2

: to doubt the correctness of

question the decision of the judges

3

: to look at or consider carefully : examine

questioner noun

questioningly

-chə-niŋ-lē

adverb

Legal Definition

question

noun

ques·​tion

1

: a particular query directed to a witness compare interrogatory

— hypothetical question \ ˌhī-​pə-​ˈthe-​ti-​kəl-​ \

: a question directed to an expert witness (as a physician) that is based on the existence of facts offered in evidence and the answer to which is an opinion to be considered in light of the evidence

Note: Modern rules of evidence have lessened the need for a hypothetical question setting forth all of the facts to be assumed in answering the question. An expert witness may state an opinion based on data or facts considered reliable in his or her field even if not already disclosed or not admissible as evidence.

— leading question

: a question so framed or presented as to suggest a particular answer

leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop the witness' testimony

—Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611(c)

Note: Leading questions are permitted in cross-examination and in direct examination of an adverse witness or one who is a child or has a communication disorder.

2

: a particular matter or issue that is in dispute, uncertain, or to be inquired into

— certified question

: a question of state law that may determine the outcome of a case pending in a federal court and that is submitted by the federal court to the state's highest court when there is no controlling state precedent

: a question of law submitted to a federal or state court by a lower court or tribunal

— federal question

: a question that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court because it requires a resolution of the construction or application of federal law see also federal question jurisdiction at jurisdiction

— political question

: a question that the court declines to consider because it involves a political matter that is not justiciable without infringing on the powers of the executive or legislative branch or is not accompanied by guiding policy or discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it see also political question doctrine

— question of fact

: a question that depends on an examination of factual matters, is usually decided by a jury, and is usually not considered on appeal

— question of law

: a question that depends on an examination of law rather than fact, is decided by a judge rather than by a jury, and may be examined on appeal

3

: a proposition submitted to a vote (as in a referendum)